Wanted: A ‘blueprint’ for Waikanae Town Centre

Anyone interested in being part of creating a vibrant, welcoming town centre for Waikanae is invited to an open day this Saturday, from 10am-2pm at Waikanae Library.

The Community Board/Council-run event aims to get the community involved in developing a 'blueprint' of what the town might look like after the Expressway is built and State Highway 1 becomes a local road.

Kāpiti Mayor Ross Church says the construction of the Expressway creates an opportunity to re-design Waikanae town centre and create a new heart for the community.

"When we've talked with locals about this in the past they came up with a vision for Waikanae as the garden area of the Kāpiti Coast. The vision included a special garden precinct in the town centre, strong links to the hills and bush area, strong iwi and marae presence, and a focus on the town centre itself.

"Now the Expressway has become a reality and SH1 is changing to a secondary road, it is the time for us to revisit the vision and develop concept plans."

Mayor Church says the future of the town centre affects more than just the people who live in Waikanae. "Waikanae is an important centre in our district so anyone with an interest is invited along to share their views."

The open day will be the first of several. More are scheduled for July and November to look at preliminary and final concept designs as well as associated opportunities for redeveloping SH 1 within Waikanae.

The transformation of Waikanae town centre is part of the wider Town Centres and Connectors Transformation project also looking at the future shape of Paraparaumu town centre, Kāpiti Road and the parts of State Highway 1 that run through the two towns.

Anyone wanting more information on the project can visit www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/town-centres